Back to index of Nerve 11 - Winter 2007 | Merseyside Resistance Calendar January

January 1830: Women admitted to Co-operative Society. Trading starts in soap and candles

John Finch was the prime mover in starting the society in Liverpool in the winter of 1829.

‘John Finch, who had been a charity school boy and who had experienced the pinch of poverty before he became a prosperous iron merchant in the city, gave a ray of hope to the struggling wage-earners of Liverpool…

‘About a dozen working men decided to meet weekly and, with John Finch as secretary and treasurer they secured the use of the Harrington Free School in Stanhope Street. The members took their shillings and, more often, their pence, handing their coins to the treasurer for custody till the total warranted a start in supplying themselves with a few daily needs as near cost price as possible. They co-operated to lessen the cost of living…’

Towards the end of January 1830, they held a meeting, at which a dozen new members were admitted into the fellowship. It was resolved that females shall be eligible to become members of the society.” Then came the decision to immediately commence operations by trading in soap and candles. Every member was to give notice of the quantity of each he would want during the ensuing week. Further, it was determined that ready money should be paid and no credit given.’

From: The Story of the Liverpool Co-operative Society Ltd, by W. Henry Brown 1930